Defoe upbeat despite Sunderland's woeful form

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jermain Defoe believes beleaguered English Premier League tailenders Sunderland can turn things around if they stick together.

The 34-year-old former England international striker — who criticised manager David Moyes earlier this month saying the perennial strugglers had gone backwards since he came in for Sam Allardyce — said it is vital the team looks forward and doesn’t dwell on their latest failure.

The ‘Black Cats’ slumped to a 4-1 home defeat to Arsenal on Saturday which sees them sharing Manchester City’s (1995-96) unwanted Premier League record of no victories and just two points from the opening 10 games of the season.

They next face Bournemouth, who are 10 points better off than them, and Defoe said the season was still young enough for the team to turn things round.

“That’s the good thing about football, it’s always the next game. Even when you are playing well, the next game comes around so quickly and you can just look forward to it,” said Defoe.

“That’s the mentality we have got to have, just ‘Okay, forget about today, the next game…’, and I’m sure the manager is thinking the same. We prepare for the next game.

“There’s a lot of football to be played, there’s a long way to go. You have got to be strong, you have got to stick together, be strong and turn it around.”

Sunderland get a respite from their league woes after the Bournemouth game as there is an international break.